Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of seasonal variation on concentration of fungal bioaerosol at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Delhi

  • OriginalPaper
  • Published:
Aerobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ambient levels of viable bioaerosol (fungi) were measured at six different sections of a sewage treatment plant in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The sampling was carried out for fungal fractions of bioaerosols during the month of June 2012 to May 2013 covering all the four seasons of India, i.e., monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon. Sampling was done thrice in a month with the help of a six-stage viable cascade impactor for 10 min each at a flow rate of 28.3 l min−1. Temperature and relative humidity were also recorded during each sampling. It was found that among all the six sites, maximum and minimum fungal concentrations were 1,200 and 829 CFU m−3 in pre-monsoon; 1,198 and 802 CFU m−3 in monsoon; 1,289 and 868 CFU m−3 in post-monsoon; and 516 and 279 CFU m−3 in winter seasons, respectively. A good regression of fine over coarse fungal bioaerosols was observed in all the four seasons. In total, eight genera of fungi were identified, and among the eight genera identified, four, e.g., Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, were found in maximum number during all the seasons. This study has revealed interesting results in context to the relationship between concentrations of fungal bioaerosols and environmental factors as well as interparticle size relationship of fungal bioaerosols.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ACGIH. (1999). Bioaerosols: assessment and control (1st ed.). Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, E. J., & Finegold, S. M. (1990). Bailey & scott’s diagnostic microbiology. 8th edn. St. Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company, pp. 76, 79, 82, 100–126, 133.

  • Bausum, H. T., Schaub, S. A., Kenyon, K. F. N., & Small, M. J. (1982). Comparison of coliphage and bacterial aerosols at a waste water spray irrigation site. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 43, 28–38.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brandi, G., Sisiti, M., & Amagliani, G. (2000). Evaluation of the environmental impact of microbial aerosols generated by waste water plants utilizing different aeration system. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 88, 845–852.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, K. P., Scarpino, P. V., & Clark, C. S. (1988). Animal viruses, colophages and bacteria in aerosols and waste water at spray irrigation site. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 54, 409–415.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Census of India. (2011). http://www.censusindia.gov.in/.

  • Clark, C. S. (1987). Potential and actual biological related health risk of wastewater industry employment. Water Pollution Control Federation, 59, 999–1008.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, C. S., Cleary, E. J., Schiff, G. M., Linnemann, C. C, Jr, Phair, J. P., & Briggs, T. M. (1976). Disease risk of occupational exposure to sewage. Journal of Environmental Engineering Division, 102, 375–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Luca, G., Zanetti, F., Fateh-Moghadm, P., & Stampi, S. (1998). Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in sewage sludge. Zentralblatt fur Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, 201, 269–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebner, M. R., Haselwandter, K., & Frank, A. (1989). Seasonal fluctuations of airborne fungal allergens. Mycological Research, 92, 170–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, Z., Ouyang, Z., Hu, L., Wang, X., Zheng, H., & Lin, X. (2005). Culturable airborne fungi in outdoor environments in Beijing, China. Science of Total Environment, 350, 47–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fannin, K. F., Vana, S. C., & Jakvbowski, W. (1985). Effect of an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant on ambient air densities of aerosols containing bacteria and viruses. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 49, 1191–1196.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, L., Mikoczy, Z., Hagmar, L., & Edling, C. (1999). Cancer incidence in a cohort of Swedish sewage workers extended follow up. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 56, 672–673.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fracchia, L., Pietronave, S., Rinaldi, M., & Martinotti, M. G. (2006). Site related airborne biological hazard and seasonal variations in two wastewater treatment plants. Water Research, 40, 1985–1994.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh, B., Lal, H., Kushwaha, R., Hazarika, N., Srivastava, A., & Jain, V. K. (2013). Estimation of bioaerosol in indoor environment in the university library of Delhi. Sustainable Environmental Research, 23, 199–207.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grisoli, P., Rodolfi, M., Villani, S., Grignan, E., Cottica, D., Berri, A., et al. (2009). Assessment of airborne microorganism contamination in an industrial area characterized by an open composting facility and a wastewater treatment plant. Environmental Research, 109, 135–142.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, E. S., Hilden, J., Klausen, H., & Rusadahl, N. (2003). Waste water exposure and health-a comparative study of occupational groups. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 60, 595–598.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeggli, S., Stenier, D., Joller, H., Tschopp, A., & Hotz, P. (2004). Hepatitis E, Helicobactor pylori and gastrointestinal symptoms in workers exposed to waste water. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 61, 627–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korzeniewska, E., Filipkowska, Z., Gotkowska, P. A., Janczukwicz, W., Dixon, B., & Czulowska, M. (2009). Determination of emitted airborne microorganisms from a BIO-PAK wastewater treatment plant. Water Research, 43, 2841–2851.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lacey, J., & Crook, B. (1988). Review: Fungal and actinomycete spores as pollutants of the workplace and occupational allergens. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 32, 515–533.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lacey, J., & Dutkiewicz, J. (1994). Bioaerosols and occupational lung disease. Journal of Aerosol Science, 25, 1371–1404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L., Gao, M., & Lin, J. (2011). Distribution characterization of microbial aerosol emitted from wastewater treatment plant using the orbal oxidation ditch process. Process Biochemistry, 46, 910–915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orisini, M., Laurenti, P., Boninti, F., Arzani, D., Ianni, A., & Romano-Spica, V. (2002). A molecular typing approach for evaluating bioaerosol exposure in wastewater treatment plant workers. Water Research, 36(5), 1375–1378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peat, J. K., Tovey, E., Mellis, C. M., Leeder, S. R., & Woolcock, A. J. (1993). Importance of house dust mite and Alternaria allergens in childhood asthma: an epidemiological study in two climatic regions of Australia. Clinical Experimental Allergy, 23, 812–820.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pietro, G., Marinella, R., Simona, V., Elena, G., Danilo, C., Anglo, B., et al. (2008). Assessment of airborne microorganism containing in an industrial area characterized by an open composting facility and wastewater treatment plant. Environmental Research, 109, 135–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pillai, S. D., Widmer, K. W., Dowed, S. E., & Ricke, S. C. (1996). Occurence of airborne bacteria and pathogen indicators during land application of sewage sludge. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 62, 296–299.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ren, P., Ahearn, D. G., & Crow, S. A. (1999). Comparative study of Aspergillus mycotoxin production on enriched media and construction material. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 23, 209–213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rylander, R. (1999). Health effect among workers in sewage treatment plants. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 56, 354–357.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rylander, R., Anderson, K., Belin, L., Berglund, G., Bergstron, R., Manson, L. A., et al. (1976). Sewage worker’s syndrome. Lancet, 8, 478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sautour, M., Sixt, N., Dalle, F., L’Ollivier, C., Fourquenet, V., Calinon, C., et al. (2009). Profiles and seasonal distribution of airborne fungi in indoor and outdoor environments at a French hospital. Science of the Total Environment, 407, 3766–3771.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, H. D., & Han, S. H. (1998). Characterization of allergens of Penicillium and Aspergillus species. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection, 31, 141–145.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. G. (1990). Sampling and identifying allergenic pollens and molds (15th ed., pp. 41–49). San Antonio: Blewstone Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sneath, P. H. A., Mair, N., Sharpe, M. E., & Holt, J. G. (1986). Bergey’s manual of systematic bacteriology (Vol. 2). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swan, J. R., Crook, B., & Gilbert, E. J. (2002). Microbial emission from composting sites. Environmental Science and Technology, 18, 23–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taha, M. P. M., Pollard, S. J. T., Sarkar, U., & Longhurust, P. J. (2005). Estimating fugitive bioaerosol releases from static compost windrows: Feasibility of a portable wind tunnel approach. Waste Management, 25, 445–450.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thorn, J., & Kerekes, E. (2001). Health effect among employees in sewage treatment plants: a literature survey. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 40, 170–179.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zofia, P., Ewa, K., Czeslawa, S., Jolanta, S., Grazyna, C., & Jack, D. (2003). Exposure to bioaerosols in a municipal sewage treatment plant. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10, 241–248.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge the contributions of anonymous reviewers and editor for improving the quality of this manuscript. Authors are also thankful to Himanshu Lal, Bipasha Ghosh, and Anshul Srivastava. AS is thankful to the University Grant Commission (GoI) for financial support in the form of major research project [42-420/2013(SR)]. Authorities at Vasant Kunj sever treatment plant are also duly acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110 067, India

    Sunita Maharia & Arun Srivastava

Authors
  1. Sunita Maharia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Arun Srivastava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arun Srivastava.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Maharia, S., Srivastava, A. Influence of seasonal variation on concentration of fungal bioaerosol at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Delhi. Aerobiologia 31, 249–260 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-014-9361-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-014-9361-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation